PG journalists named finalists in Pittsburgh Black Media Federation’s Vann awards
Post-Gazette journalists are well represented in the pool of finalists for this year’s Robert L. Vann Media Awards, as announced this week by the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation.
Work from PG photographers, designers and reporters during 2023 is being honored in the journalism contest, which focuses on encouraging excellence in the coverage of communities of color. The more than 30 PostGazette entries named as finalists cover a broad swath of topics from a look at how a Netflix show used Pittsburgh as a stand-in for New York to issues with cityowned housing to the legacy of Pennsylvania’s first Black woman pharmacist.
The Vann awards were launched in 1988 and named for the late publisher of the Pittsburgh Courier.
“One road to media excellence is to cover marginalized communities,” said PBMF President Deborah Todd, in the release announcing the finalists. “There are stories in these communities and giving voice to their issues raises the bar in journalism because it becomes a way to better inform society.”
In the Excellence in Written Journalism Daily Newspaper division, PG finalists are:
• History/culture/arts/ entertainment: Scott Mervis, “Concert for Charles Henry Pace, a Pittsburgh gospel composer whose songs were all but lost,” and Joshua Axelrod, “How Netflix’s civil rights bioplic ‘Rustin’ transformed Pittsburgh into 1960s New York.”
• Business/ consumer/ technology: Mark Belko, “A historical moment: Bethel AME Church near deal with Penguins to return to old arena site”; Gretchen McKay, “Getting started: Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh aims to give youth more than a job”; and Evan RobinsonJohnson, “Black founders, technologists, start to claim their moment.”
• Columns: Ron Cook, David Mills and Brandon McGinley.
• Public affairs/politics/ government/ education:
Megan Tomasic, “Inside the AP African American Studies class piloted at Allderdice High School that has sparked praise, outrage across the country”; Megan Tomasic, “Western Pa. schools are seeing more students act out since the pandemic. Now they’re changing how they discipline them”; and Jordan Anderson, Megan Guza and Hallie Lauer, “New police chief won praise in Florida even after firing: Fort Lauderdale’s loss is Pittsburgh’s gain.”
• Enterprise/investigative: Mike Wereschagin, “Newly released transcript reveals UPMC doctors’ exchange,” and Michael Korsh, “Left to Rot.”
• News feature/profile:
Anya Sostek, “Mothers from 3 cities share their stories in the Brown Mama Monologues,” and Janice Crompton, “Obituary: Judge Livingstone Morris Johnson, the ‘conscience’ of Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.”
• Sports: Noah Hiles, “Worth the wait: An inside look at Israel Abanikanda’s NFL draft experience,” and
Gerry Dulac, “How Mike Tomlin’s press conferences are inspiring a new generation of Black teachers.”
• Spot/breaking news:
Megan Guza, Mike Wereschagin, Kris B. Mamula, Jordan Anderson, Steve Bohnel and Michael Korsh, “Shootout in Garfield”; Tim Grant, “Pittsburgh attorney sues judge for having him arrested and brought to court in chains for a civil suit”; and Anya Sostek, “Celebration of a force of nature in the Hill District could not be deterred by a true force of nature.”
• Health/ medical/ science/ environment:
Gretchen McKay, “Helping the homebound: This geriatric team gives care via house calls,” and Hanna Webster, “Forged in Pittsburgh: Unveiling the legacy of Ella P. Stewart, Pa.’s first Black woman pharmacist.”
In the Excellence in Visual Presentation division, PG finalists are: Page/digital design: Ashley Marchetti; Feature photography: Arturo Fernandez and Lucy Schaly; Photography personality profile: Benjamin B. Braun; Sports photography: Sebastian Foltz and Benjamin B. Braun; and Spot news photography: Benjamin B. Braun, Sebastian Foltz and Lucy Schaly.
Winners will be announced in June at the organization’s “A Night of Excellence” dinner at the O’Hara Student Center Ballroom at the University of Pittsburgh.